I loved all the cats in this story. I loved that this is a very fast paced cozy mystery. I loved Shell, her friends and her cats. I enjoyed all the twists and turns as Shell solves this mystery. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Not many pet lovers could pass up this story full of cats, animal shelters, and a pet store. Plus, the cats in this book are often heroes. It’s true they might be hungry most of the time, but nonetheless, they are excellent cats and purr often.

This story begins in the midst of a fundraiser held for the local animal shelter. A well-known antique expert has agreed to identify and estimate favorite pieces brought by the surrounding population.

I thought this story moved slowly at first. Though I know it sounds rather incongruous, it seemed to pick up and roll quickly after about three-fourths of the way through.

There’s no question this is a fun read. It has what I call the normal elements of a cozy…inherited property, handsome cop, neat pets, small town, dead body, nice friends, etc. But it all turns out to be a good story.

Adorable cats, good characters and plenty of red-herrings are a recipe for success in this cozy. The story held my attention. I did find the solution was a bit too complicated for my taste but it was easy to understand. I would definitely read more of this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Shell is involved in a fund raiser for the local shelter. They are hosting an antiques appraisal event and people pay a nominal amount for the appraisal that goes to the shelter. One of the items is an old jewel chest. For an old chest, it sure has garnered quite a bit of attention. When Eunice bought it at an estate sale for $5, some offered her $250 on the spot. At the event, someone tried to buy it for $400 and another for $500. Shell's cats accidently know the chest to the floor and she finds a surprise. Who are these people and are they all after the same thing. When one of the potential buyer is found dead, Shell knows it wasn't a local businessman, even though it appears he was at the murder scene. Someone is framing him!

Fun cozy. Shell and her friends are entertaining. The story kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed the plot.

Cats, Carats, and Killers by TC LoTiempo is mostly the story of a cold case, a jewelry store robbery from ten years earlier. It begins with a fundraiser for the local animal shelter. An antiques expert is there to appraise items brought in by the locals. Shell is a retired television actress who has inherited a Victorian mansion, a bundle of money, and a pet ship from her aunt. She was ready to quit the TV business and loved living in Fox Hollow, Connecticut. The only fly in the ointment may have been that her mother was there, also. The most exciting thing was that so many people were interested in a Victorian jewelry box that had been dropped off for appraisal. All the offers came to no good as the owner wasn’t there. Then, the cats knocked it off the desk and Shell found a diamond and a newspaper clipping when the end of the box shattered. She took it to a local woodworker to be fixed and went on her way. He found another clue. Until there was a murder.

Shell is a good character. An ex-TV spy who has landed on her feet in Fox Hollow, although she is regularly recognized. She has three cats, one adopted, one part of her inheritance, and one who has adopted her. She has a lovely boyfriend who happens to be a police detective and is currently entertaining an FBI agent who is looking to reopen the jewelry case in which a bag of diamonds had been stolen. Was the one she found part of the theft? It was a very convoluted mystery since most of it had happened in the past and the trail was pretty cold. Through research, a good memory, and some interesting coincidences, they had plenty of leads to follow. It was an intriguing mystery with clues and mis-clues abounding. This is a fun series. Thanks, TC LoTiempo.

I was invited to read Cats, Carats, and Killers by Beyond the Page Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BeyondThePagePublishing #TCLoTiempe #CatsCaratsAnd Killers

This is book Four in the popular "Urban Tales Pet Shop Mystery Series". I have read the entire series and the author is a favorite cozy author of mine. I enjoy the descriptions of cats that are catnip to cozy cat readers. The author knows cats and writes beautifully of their antics, habits and personalities. Thank you to the publisher and to Net galley for the opportunity. My review opinons are my own..

In this next in series our favorite protagnist Shell is holding a animal rescue fun raiser. Diamonds are hidden among the many items donated in a jewelry box that many bidders are desperate for. When one most anxious to reclaim the box is murdered Shell is on the case when she finds out the contents of diamonds were part of a robbery. Her investigations skills are excellent and soon suspects abound as she finds clues among the history of the diamonds. The cats in this story are delightful and a part of every story adding fun, antics and love for Shell. The sleuth was well crafted to conclusion. I loved this next in series and look forward to the series continuing. This is series is cat cozy lover purrfection for readers.

Shell McMillan is helping with a fundraiser for the local animal shelter. For a small fee people can bring in their antiques and have them appraised. When a couple of people try to steal an antique jewelry box that was dropped off, Shell puts it away for safe keeping. It ends up broken and she discovers a diamond and a partial slip of paper that came out of a hidden compartment. In the meantime, a former resident of Fox Hollow returns trying to buy back his former business. Then he ends up dead. He was also after the jewelry box. Shell figures out that the diamond was related to an old unsolved diamond heist case from a few years ago. Can she figure out where the diamonds are and who was involved in the heist before they come after her? Once again she has help from her friends and her cats. I really enjoy these books and getting to know the characters.

These cats just continue to be awesome little helpers (although sometimes mischievous) when Shell’s working on a case she’s been warned off time and again, lol. A cold case tied in with the new murder and Shell found herself diving right into it. She and Gary did the sleuthing thing so well, probably from years of practice on their spy show, but he was never with her when the super exciting (or dangerous) stuff happened. That place was reserved for one of the cats (Purrday’s my fave though!).

That was some showdown! And a really good twist too although I was really happy with whodunit. I get the feeling that Shell’s mom’s idea for the next fundraiser might just be the subject of the next book. I hope so!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Beyond the Page via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Cat, Carats and Killers is one of the most fun series that I read. Former actress and current pet show owner Shell McMillan has a stall at the first Fox Hollow collectible fundraiser to benefit the local shelter. When people start offering to buy a jewelry box that has been left for appraisal, Shell wonders if it could have anything to do with the cold case of missing diamonds that Josh is working on. You'll need to read to see if it does.
Once again, T.C. LoTempio has written a fun cozy with really great characters. From Shell and her cats to her overbearing mother to Gary and Josh, you really learn to love them all. The book is definitely hard to put down once you start reading so give yourself some time to enjoy the read. I can't wait for the next book.

T.C. LoTempio’s fourth Urban Tails Pet Shop Mystery involves a ten-year-old jewel robbery and a current murder.

Urban Tails Pet Shop owner Shell McMillan is collecting stuff for the upcoming animal shelter fundraiser when a few individuals, including Pete Martin, seem determined to purchase an old beat-up dark walnut jewelry chest with many drawers and compartments. Things get even more interesting when Pete Martin is found murdered.

Shell decides to find the murderer and discovers the jewel box may be connected to the stolen diamonds from a robbery ten years ago. Ms. LoTempio concocts an elaborate mystery involving familiar characters and feline friends. Complex and suspense-driven, the story finds Shell working to solve the robbery to uncover the killer. The author provides a fair amount of intrigue. And felines Purrday and Cleopawtra provide a vital clue that gives Shell the key she needs.

While “Cats, Carats, and Killers” is the fourth book in T.C. LoTempio’s Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries, it is the first book I have read in the series but it won’t be the last – I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I love the main character – former actress turned pet shop owner Shell McMillan, as well as the supporting characters including her sometimes overbearing mother, roommate Gary, boyfriend Josh, her various friends, and of course her cats who are very helpful in solving mysteries. The mystery in this book is a good one mixing both a jewelry store robbery in the past with a current day murder and Shell's reason for getting involved is a good one as a close friend is the chief suspect in the murder (I will say that Josh has the patience of a state as Shell keeps interfering in his case). This isn’t really the type of book where you try to figure out who the bad guys are but sit back and enjoy the ride – I will say that while I figured out about halfway through who one of the culprits was but I was totally wrong as to why they did it. I did have to suspend belief a bit during the scene when all was revealed but all in all I really enjoyed this book.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

I haven't read a book by author T.C. LoTiempo that I haven't enjoyed. Realistic and relatable characters? Check. An engaging storyline? Check. Well written dialogue? Check. Loads of quirkiness and coziness? Double check.! Cats, Carats and Killers is a charming cozy mystery that sets out to solve two mysteries - a cold case jewelry heist and a recent homicide. The hunt is on to find a gem thief and a hot-headed killer and the FBI are no match for Shell, Josh, Purrday, and Princess Fuzzypants. This is a great series for cozy mystery fans, cat lovers, and individuals who like to pick up a book to relax and forget their worries for a while.

It was nice to be back with familiar characters in this entertaining series. A cold case and a murder keep our protagonist busy looking for clues and getting into trouble. Not my favorite, but still engaging and kept me guessing. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Great addition to the Urban Tails Pet Shop series. My fave, so far! If you love antiques, cats, cozy murder mysteries, solving old cold cases, cozy relationships, multiple suspects, and putting all the clues together to solve the crime; you’ll enjoy CATS, CARATS, AND KILLERS. The story is also highlighted by humor and smart, cuddly cats. 🩷 I highly recommend.

I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Beyond The Page Publishing. All opinions are my own.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of CATS, CARATS, AND KILLERS (Book 4 of the Urban Tails Pet Shop mystery series) by T.C. LoTempio in exchange for an honest review. Shell McMillan is involved in an Antiques Roadshow style fundraiser for the local animal shelter. For a donation, a volunteer antiques expert will give each person an appraisal of their old keepsakes. The organizers have even allowed absentee donors to leave their items for appraisal. One of those items is a tatty old jewelry box; it’s not much to look at, so Shell is puzzled about why multiple people have been pressuring her to sell the item that is not even hers. Also, there are multiple attempts to steal the thing. When one those people is murdered and one of Shell’s friends arrested for the killing, Shell must solve the mystery of the box to solve the murder.

I like this book and the series. I recommend this book to fans of the series and the series to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring pet shops, retired actors, and pets.

#CatsCaratsandKillers #NetGalley

I did not realize this was the fourth book in the series when I was lucky enough to receive this book from #NetGalley and #BeyondthePagebooks, but it didn't matter. This was very easy to follow and quite interesting. Shell is a great main character with an interesting past, I love her shop, her friends, and her adorable cats. In this story, Shell is helping with a fund raiser when she and her mischievous cats discover a clue that was left in a jewelry box, waiting for appraisal at the fundraiser Since the cats knocked the box over, Shell feels responsible, but when she finds numerous people trying to get their hands on the box, then there is a murder it looks more like help, maybe needed. When the FBI shows up and today's mystery may be tied to an old jewel, heist things get very interesting. It is a fun romp with interesting characters and animals.

This is a fun, entertaining read. Shell is an interesting character that I enjoyed spending time with. I do with that she had made a smarter choice at the end. I enjoyed both the human and animal characters in this story. All of the characters – especially the quirky ones – added to the fabric of the story. I enjoyed the mystery and how it played out. It had me turning the pages to figure out how all the various pieces fit together. This is my first read by LoTempio and it won’t be my last. The story is easy to read and get into.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cats, Carats and Killers is the 4th enjoyable book in the Urban Tails Pet Shop cozy mystery series. The characters are likeable, the story moves at a good pace and the cozy mystery kept me guessing. Shell McMillan was formerly an actress but gave it up and moved back to Fox Hollow when she inherited her Aunt's home and pet store. In this book, Shell's pet shop is promoting a fundraiser for the local animal shelter with appraisals of people's prized possessions. The event has drawn some shady characters too. Pete Martin was a local but left and has recently returned. Pete seems intent on getting a beat up old jewelry box and Shell can't figure out why all the interest in it. When Pete ends up dead and a local is the primary suspect, Shell and friends start poking around. The FBI are in town looking into a jewel heist from long ago. Shell's boyfriend Detective Josh Bloodgood isn't happy she is inserting herself into his investigation. Of course Shell's cats Purrday and Princess Fuzzypants helped out. I suspected the culprit but wasn't sure until the end. I have read all of the books in this series and they continue to be enjoyable. #CatsCaratsAndKillers #UrbanTailsPetShop #NetGalley #BeyondThePage

With people flocking to the local shelter’s fund raiser, there are a lot of interesting items that are being appraised. But one item in particular interests one attendee and he is determined that it will be his, no matter what. When the man is found dead, Shell has to find out who else knew about the hidden diamonds and was involved in the original theft of them. Because the murder is surely connected to it.

Can Shell figure out who killed Martin, or is this the last case for her? Only time will tell.

Every visit to Fox Hollow with the animals is one of the best visits. You’re guaranteed a solid whodunit, cute kitties and plenty of red herrings to keep you busy until the killer is revealed! Really enjoy this series.

"Cats, Carats, and Killers (Urban Tails Pet Shop #4)" T.C. loTempio is a bit cold case jewel theft, a bit modern cozy murder mystery. Are the two linked? Or, are they their own mysteries? In this one you can't ignore any of the clues. The only red herrings are the fine details of each clue.

Gotta love the cats in this series. They certainly do much of the investigating, or at least pointing out of clues. I half expected Shell to end up with a fourth cat in her home by the end of this one at the rate she's been acquiring cats.